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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]You mean return to the prehistoric days where there were no rankings and kids applied to whatever school they’d heard of? No thanks. I’d rather see schools noticed for their efforts to improve programs. Sure there’s lots of gaming but it’s better than NO information. [/quote]

No rankings doesn't mean "no information". We have the internet now, and there's no reason an org like US News or other outlets can't compile information on colleges that is relevant to students and their families. It's actually possible to provide info like:

- What majors are offered
- A school's reputation in a given industry
- Post-graduate employment statistics
- Average class size
- Student survey results on campus culture, accessibility of professors, and overall experience

And so on. But different students can want or need wildly different things in a school. So having a single list that ranks US colleges and universities based on a relatively narrow set of factors (all of which are "game-able" for the university) is nonsensical. The only people who like it are the hyper-competitive parents and kids who want the bragging rights of attending a "top" school regardless of whether the school is a good fit for their kids.[/quote]

+1 Here's a good essay on why (and how) people should make their own rankings based on what's important to them using info that's easily available to anyone.

https://lesshighschoolstress.com/blog/
[/quote]

I agree.

Our reasons for choosing the in-state flagship UMD for CS were as follows -
- Strong department and high ranking for major 
- Job prospects, salary of graduates. 
- In-state tuition and generous merit scholarships
- Close to home 
- Existing network of DMV peers that can be expanded due to size and diversity of school. 
- Urban and connected school in DMV
- Access to internships in DMV
- Diversity of race and gender in STEM subjects[/quote]

This isn't as relevant for law schools, which are the only ones currently refusing to provide info to USNWR. Going to an elite or T-14 or however you want to phrase it has been considered more important for law school than undergrad. Going to a good undergrad school these days is basically like going to a Big 3, right? Meet some useful people and get into a great grad school (maybe get a good job for few years first)! [/quote]

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